Core Viewpoint - M2i Global, Inc. and Volato Group, Inc. have announced the initiation of titanium ore shipments from Titanium X, marking a significant step in securing a reliable supply chain for critical minerals essential for national security and advanced technologies [1][4]. Company Overview - M2i Global specializes in developing a global value supply chain for critical minerals, focusing on national defense and economic security [11]. - Volato Group is a technology-driven company that enhances business decision-making through scalable software and data solutions [11]. Shipment Details - The first shipment from Titanium X consists of titanium ore samples sourced from mineral sands and hard rock, intended for analysis by academic institutions and a defense industrial base company [2]. Collaboration and Strategy - M2i Global and Titanium X are collaborating on financing, development, and commercialization of critical mineral assets, leveraging M2i's expertise in mineral project execution [3]. - The shipment aligns with M2i Global's long-term strategy to establish a transparent supply network for critical minerals, combining physical access with digital traceability [6]. Market Context - Titanium is classified as a critical mineral by the U.S. Geological Survey, vital for sectors such as aerospace, defense, and green energy, despite supply chain risks concentrated in a few countries [4][10]. - The U.S. critical minerals market is estimated to exceed $320 billion annually, highlighting the strategic importance of domestic sourcing and logistics [7]. Titanium X Overview - Titanium X aims to be a leading provider of high-performance titanium alloys, utilizing patented technologies to produce titanium with lower energy consumption and carbon emissions [8]. - The company is positioned to capitalize on its dual business divisions in advanced metal production and resource development through joint ventures and licensing [8].

Core Insights - Compass Minerals International, Inc. is a significant player in the essential minerals market, operating in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and the U.K., with three main segments: Salt, Plant Nutrition North America, and Plant Nutrition South America [1] Stock Performance - The stock price of Compass Minerals increased by 8.8% in the latest trading session, indicating strong investor interest, although Deutsche Bank's price target of $55 suggests cautious optimism for further near-term price increases [2][6] - The consensus price target for Compass Minerals has risen from $23.25 to $25 over the past month, reflecting a more optimistic outlook from analysts [3] Financial Performance - In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, Compass Minerals reported strong performance, with revenue and adjusted earnings per share exceeding expectations, driven by increased volume in the Salt segment and higher pricing in the Plant Nutrition segment [4] - Analysts from Deutsche Bank have revised their forecasts for the fourth quarter, predicting a narrower loss, which supports a positive outlook for the company's stock performance [5][6]

Company Overview - Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. intends to change its name to Fox Tungsten Ltd., pending approval from the TSX Venture Exchange [1] - The company focuses on discovering and building resources near infrastructure within its 100-percent-owned portfolio of diversified metals projects in British Columbia [2] Project Highlights - Key projects include the high-grade Fox Tungsten deposit, the Silverboss molybdenum-copper-gold-silver project adjacent to Glencore's closed Boss Mountain molybdenum mine, and the Hen-Art-DL gold and silver project [3] - On November 7, 2024, the company completed the sale of the Highland Valley Copper Project to Metal Energy Corp., retaining 2,347,220 common shares of Metal Energy [3] Corporate Responsibility - The company is committed to responsible mineral resource development and prioritizes building mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous Communities in the areas where it operates [4]

Core Insights - The Trump administration has launched "Project Vault," a public-private partnership aimed at creating a stockpile of critical minerals essential for national security and economic stability [1][3]. Group 1: Project Vault Overview - Project Vault will include minerals identified as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey, which lists over 50 minerals including rare earths, lithium, uranium, and copper [2]. - The initiative will be funded by the U.S. Export-Import Bank providing $10 billion in loans, with an additional $2 billion from private capital [3]. Group 2: Industry Impact - Equipment manufacturers such as GE Vernova, Western Digital, and Boeing have shown interest in the project, indicating its potential to support various industries [3]. - Critical minerals are vital for multiple sectors, including defense, robotics, semiconductors, electronics, and energy, highlighting their importance beyond the automotive industry [4]. Group 3: Strategic Context - The stockpile initiative is part of a broader strategy to counter China's dominance in critical minerals, particularly in refining, following China's previous export restrictions during trade disputes [5]. - The U.S. stockpile will source minerals both domestically and internationally, with plans for storage in a network of warehouse facilities across the United States [6]. Group 4: Government Actions - The Trump administration has taken equity stakes in several mining companies to strengthen them against competition from state-backed entities in China [7]. - Notable agreements include a deal with MP Materials for rare earth mining and financing plans for USA Rare Earth, along with stakes in Lithium Americas and Trilogy Metals [8]. Group 5: Future Considerations - The U.S. is exploring a sovereign risk insurance fund to protect investments in mining projects from potential cancellations by future administrations, which would further enhance the critical minerals strategy [9].

Core Insights - Locksley Resources Limited announced high-grade antimony results from a batch sampling program at the DAM antimony deposit, part of the Mojave Project in California [1][3] Group 1: Sampling Program Details - The batch sampling program aimed to evaluate high-grade antimony mineralization at DAM, following technical milestones achieved in late 2025, including a 325kg sample and a 68.1% Sb premium concentrate [2] - Three batches were sampled, with Batch 1 returning a weighted average of 25.7% Sb, Batch 2 at 21.3% Sb, and Batch 3 at 11.4% Sb, resulting in a total weighted average grade of 18.7% Sb from all samples combined (287kg) [3] Group 2: Strategic Focus and Market Position - Locksley Resources is focused on critical minerals in the U.S., actively advancing the Mojave Project targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony [3] - The company is executing a mine-to-market strategy for antimony, aiming to reestablish domestic supply chains for critical materials, supported by strategic partnerships with leading U.S. research institutions and industry partners [3] - This approach, combined with innovative processing and separation technologies, positions Locksley to contribute to U.S. critical materials independence [3]

Core Viewpoint - New Frontier Minerals (ASX:NFM) is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on the increasing North American interest in critical minerals through a dual listing on the OTCQB Venture Market, which aims to enhance U.S. investor engagement and access to capital [1][6] Group 1: Company Developments - The company has secured an 85% interest in a key tenement within the Harts Range HRE project in the Northern Territory, with additional tenement grants also recently obtained [2][3] - Inaugural drilling at the Harts Range site is expected to commence in the coming weeks, coinciding with the company's efforts to expand its NWQ copper project in Queensland [3] - The chairman highlighted that both the Harts Range and NWQ copper projects are strategically located within a stable Australian jurisdiction, contributing to secure supply chains for heavy rare earth elements essential for advanced manufacturing, defense, and clean energy transition [4] Group 2: Market Context - There is a growing geopolitical focus on supply chain security for critical minerals, leading to increased interest from U.S. investors, particularly in projects that demonstrate scale, grade, and clear pathways to downstream integration [5] - The U.S. government, under Donald Trump, is investing billions to establish secure domestic and allied critical mineral supply chains, aiming to reduce reliance on Chinese rare earths [5]

Core Insights - The Trump administration has decided to abandon plans to guarantee a minimum price for U.S. critical minerals projects due to potential lack of congressional funding and market pricing complexities [1] - This policy shift will influence future deals but does not affect the previously agreed price floor for MP Materials set last July [3] Industry Developments - The administration's renewed focus on domestic critical minerals includes a recent investment of $1.6 billion in USA Rare Earth Inc., aimed at reducing reliance on China for key rare earth elements [4] - MP Materials announced a public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of War, involving a $400 million investment in preferred shares and $1 billion in financing for a new U.S. magnet plant [5] - American Resources Corp. is building a fully domestic rare earth magnet supply chain with a $1.4 billion deal to produce 10,000 metric tons annually [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Full year sales for 2025 were $2.1 billion, consistent with the previous year [6][11] - Full year operating income was $287 million, with earnings per share at $5.52 [7][11] - Operating margin decreased to 13.9% from 14.9% in the prior year, primarily due to lower volume [12][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer and Specialties segment sales for Q4 were $274 million, with Household and Personal Care sales at $133 million, up 2% sequentially but down 1% year-over-year [13] - Specialty Additives sales were $142 million, down 2% from the prior year, impacted by lower residential construction demand [14] - Engineered Solutions segment sales grew 2% year-over-year to $245 million, with High Temperature Technologies sales at $178 million, up 1% [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales in the Consumer and Specialties segment for the full year were $1.1 billion, with a 3% decline in Household and Personal Care sales overall [14] - Specialty Additives sales for the full year were $585 million, down 4% from the prior year, affected by a slowdown in residential construction [15] - Engineered Solutions segment sales for the full year were $975 million, with record operating income of $163 million and an operating margin of 16.7% [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth through investments in higher growth markets, innovative products, and geographic expansion [7][8] - Significant investments were made in pet litter facilities, natural oil purification operations, and paper and packaging satellite plants [8][9] - The company aims to leverage regulatory changes to drive demand for local mineral supply and enhance revenue streams [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted a challenging year in 2025 due to geopolitical uncertainty and softer market demand [5][6] - For 2026, the company expects stable market conditions with potential growth driven by new business and investments made in 2025 [24][26] - Management expressed confidence in achieving mid-single-digit growth in 2026, supported by new product launches and market recovery [20][24] Other Important Information - The company returned $73 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases while maintaining a strong balance sheet [9][19] - Full-year free cash flow was $87 million, with expectations for 6%-7% of sales in 2026 [19][20] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Regarding the Consumer and Specialties segment's operating margin performance - Management indicated that the performance was in line with expectations, impacted by lower residential construction demand and fixed cost absorption issues [35][36] Question: Insights on the paper PCC business and market conditions - Management highlighted growth opportunities in Asia, with a focus on increasing market penetration and new technologies [40][41] Question: Capital deployment strategy for 2026 - The company plans to maintain a balanced approach, allocating 50% of free cash flow to shareholders while keeping some for organic and inorganic growth opportunities [46][48]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Full year sales for 2025 were $2.1 billion, consistent with the previous year [4] - Operating income for the year was $287 million, with earnings per share at $5.52 [5][10] - Operating margin decreased to 13.9% from 14.9% in the prior year, primarily due to lower volume [11][19] - Fourth quarter sales were $520 million, reflecting a slight increase from the prior year, driven by a 2% growth in engineered solutions [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer and specialties segment sales for the fourth quarter were $274 million, with household and personal care sales at $133 million, showing a 2% sequential increase but 1% decline year-over-year [12] - Specialty additives sales were $142 million, down 2% from the prior year, impacted by a slowdown in residential construction [12][15] - Engineered solutions segment sales grew 2% year-over-year to $245 million, with high temperature technologies sales at $178 million, up 1% [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales in the consumer and specialties segment for the full year were $1.1 billion, with household and personal care sales down 3% overall but improving by 5% in the second half [13] - Specialty additives sales for the full year were $585 million, down 4% from the previous year, affected by lower volumes in residential construction [15] - Engineered solutions segment sales for the full year were $975 million, with environmental and infrastructure product line sales up 2% [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth through expanding into higher growth markets, positioning in faster growing geographies, and introducing innovative products [6][7] - Investments include upgrades to pet litter facilities, expansion of natural oil purification operations, and new paper and packaging satellite plants in Asia [7][26] - The company aims to leverage regulatory changes driving demand for sustainable products, particularly in edible oil and renewable fuel purification [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted that 2025 was a challenging year due to geopolitical uncertainty and softer market demand [3] - For 2026, the company expects stable market conditions with potential growth driven by investments made in 2025 [24][29] - Management expressed confidence in achieving mid-single-digit growth in 2026, supported by new business secured in cat litter and other consumer-oriented products [20][25] Other Important Information - The company returned $73 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases while maintaining a strong balance sheet with over $700 million in liquidity [8][19] - Free cash flow for the year was $87 million, with expectations for 2026 to be in the range of 6%-7% of sales [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Consumer and specialties segment margin performance - Management indicated that the fourth quarter margin was in line with expectations, impacted by lower residential construction demand and fixed cost absorption issues [35][36] Question: Growth in paper PCC business and market conditions - Management highlighted growth opportunities in Asia, with a focus on increasing market penetration and new technologies [39][40] Question: Capital deployment and share repurchase plans - The company plans to allocate 50% of free cash flow to shareholders while maintaining a strong balance sheet for potential acquisitions [46][48] Question: Visibility into fabric care and pet care markets - Management expressed optimism about volume growth in fabric care and a strong outlook for pet litter, expecting high single-digit growth [55][58]

FOURTH QUARTER 2025 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL January 30, 2026 © 2026 Minerals Technologies Inc. All Rights Reserved. Forward-Looking Statements and Non-GAAP Measures This presentation may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations and forecasts of future events such as new products, revenues, and financial performance, and are not limited to describing historical or current facts. Th ...